CILS Italian certificate: levels, skills and how to pass

CILS is the Italian certificate from the Università per Stranieri di Siena, offered from A1 to C2. One rule shapes everything about preparing for it: each skill has to be passed separately. Here is what that means. Our CILS preparation path lists the steps.

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16Word: the free Italian level test — A1 to B2 in a few minutes, no account needed

What CILS assesses

CILS covers listening, reading, writing, speaking, and vocabulary and grammar. It gives a level from A1 to C2, and it is offered on paper and on a computer.

Every skill counts on its own

According to the official assessment page, each skill has to be passed separately. A brilliant grammar paper cannot make up for weak listening. Find your weakest skill early and give it the most time.

Keep a simple tally of your practice. If one skill gets far fewer minutes than the others, that is almost certainly the one that needs them most.

CILS and Italian citizenship

CILS is used for citizenship. The level asked for is set by Italian law. Our guide on the B1 Italian requirement explains it and links to the official sources. Before you book, check that the certificate you are choosing is one the authorities accept.

How to prepare

  1. Take a free Italian level test.
  2. Learn 16 Italian words a day with active recall.
  3. Practise full sentences to get articles and verb endings right.
  4. Listen every day, even for five minutes.
  5. Use the official sample exams, one skill at a time.
  6. Choose an exam centre and book.

The trap of being good at one thing

Learners with a Romance language at home often read Italian well long before they can speak it. Learners from other backgrounds may be the opposite. Since CILS checks each skill separately, your comfortable skill is the one to spend less time on.

Italian at your level

Your path begins at your level and tells you what to practise next.

16Word's paths stop at B2. For C1 and C2 you will need advanced material in Italian too.

See also language exams for citizenship and free official sample papers.

Keep exploring

Every exam below has its own preparation page on 16Word.

The other language exams

More guides on language exams

Related guides and free level tests

CILS: frequently asked questions

What levels does CILS cover?

From A1 to C2.

Do you have to pass every skill in CILS?

Yes, each skill has to be passed separately.

Is CILS used for Italian citizenship?

Yes. See our guide on the B1 requirement.

Is CILS on paper or on a computer?

Both exist. Ask your exam centre.

Where can I see example papers?

On the official examples page.

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